Patty in Paris | Page 9

of the lists later on.
Aunt Isabel and Ethelyn also came to say good-bye to Patty, but their
demeanour was very different from Marian's.
Aunt Isabel was much impressed by the fact that Patty was going to
travel with the rich Farringtons, but she expressed a doubt as to
whether it would do Patty much good in a social way after all. For she
knew something of Mrs. Farrington's habits and tastes, and they in no
way corresponded to her own.

Ethelyn informed Patty that she need not bring her any souvenir unless
she could bring something really nice. "I do hate the little traps and
trinkets most people bring," she said; "but if you want to bring me a
bracelet or locket or something really worth while, I'd be glad to have
it."
"Well," exclaimed Patty, "I certainly have most outspoken cousins!
They don't seem to hesitate to tell me what to bring and what not to
bring them. But I'm sure of one thing! Bumble Barlow won't be so
fussy particular; she'll take whatever I bring and be thankful."
"So will I," said Nan, laughing; "anything no one else wants, Patty, you
may give it to me."
"Don't spend all your money buying presents, child," said Aunt Isabel;
"you'd better buy pretty clothes for yourself. I will give you a list of the
best places to shop."
"Thank you, Aunt Isabel, I'll take the list with pleasure; but of course
my purchases will be at the advice of Mrs. Farrington. She dresses
Elise quite simply, and will probably expect me to do the same."
Aunt Isabel sniffed. "You ought to have gone to Paris with me," she
said. "You're growing up to be a good-looking girl, Patty, and the right
kind of clothes would set you off wonderfully."
Patty said nothing, but as she glanced at Ethelyn's furbelows she felt
thankful she was not going to Paris with Aunt Isabel.
But Patty found that there was quite a great deal of shopping to be done
before she sailed.
Nan took these matters in charge and declared that Patty needed a
complete though not an elaborate steamer outfit.
Nan dearly loved buying pretty clothes and was quite in her element
making Patty's purchases. A dark blue tailor-made cloth, trimmed with
touches of green velvet, was chosen for her travelling costume.

Her "going-away dress" Marian persisted in calling it, just as if Patty
were a bride; but as Marian burst into tears every time she mentioned
Patty's going away, her words were so indistinct that it mattered little
what terms she used.
Then Nan selected one or two pretty light gowns of a somewhat dressy
nature for dinner on board the steamer, and one or two simple evening
gowns for the ship's concert or other festive occasions. A white serge
suit was added for pleasant afternoons on deck, and some dainty
kimonos and negligees for stateroom use.
Patty was delighted with all these things, but could scarcely take time
to appreciate them, as she found so many other things to do by way of
her own preparations. So many people came to see her and she had to
go to see so many other people. Then she had to have her photographs
taken to leave with her friends, and she was constantly being invited to
little farewell luncheons or teas.
"Indeed," as Patty expressed it, "the whole two weeks of preparation
seems like one long, lingering farewell; and when I'm not saying good-
bye to any one else, I'm trying to stop Marian's freshly flowing tears."
The girls bought Patty parting gifts, and though they were all either
useful or pretty, Patty appreciated far more the loving spirit which
prompted them.
"I made this all myself," said Hilda, as she brought Patty a dainty
sleeping gown of blue and white French flannel, "because it's utterly
impossible to buy this sort of thing ready-made and have it just right. If
you don't say this is just right I'll never make you another as long as I
live."
"It's exactly right, Hilda," said Patty, taking the pretty garment. "I know
I shall dream of you whenever I wear it, and that's too bad, too, for I
ought to devote some of my dreams to other people."
"This is a cabin bag," said Lorraine, bringing her offering. "I didn't
make it myself, because this is so much neater and prettier than a

homemade one. You see it has a pocket for everything that you can
possibly require, from hairpins to shoehorn. Not that you'll put anything
in the pockets--nobody ever does--but it will look pretty decorating
your cabin wall."
"Indeed I shall put things in it," said Patty. "I'm a great believer in
putting things in their right places, and I shall think of you, Lorraine,